Payroll Project Lead

Harbor; Nantwich; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbor is seeking a Payroll Project Lead to own global payroll migrations and transformation programmes. You will lead client-facing engagements, advise organisations on transitions to global payroll vendors, and direct the delivery of global payroll audits.

This senior, hybrid role with remote work capability is based from our Nantwich, England office, where you will shape delivery approaches, maintain strong client relationships and ensure delivery meets the highest standards.

Qualifications

• Strong payroll technical expertise across UK and/or multi-jurisdictional payroll.
• Proven experience leading payroll migrations, global payroll audits or significant payroll transformation programmes.
• Excellent client relationship management skills, with the confidence and gravitas to lead senior stakeholder conversations.
• Strong project leadership capability — able to hold accountability for overall project health, manage competing priorities and drive delivery across complex, multi-workstream programmes.
• Deep understanding of global payroll vendors (CloudPay, ADP, Papaya, Deel) and ability to provide informed, independent advisory to clients on vendor selection and implementation approach.
• Hands-on exposure to HRIS and payroll platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle, ADP or similar.
• Formal project management training or qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile) is advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll migration projects, taking accountability for delivery quality, timeline and client outcomes from design through to go-live.
• Lead global payroll audits, providing structured assessment and advisory outputs that drive clear, actionable recommendations for clients.
• Advise clients on vendor selection, migration strategy and transition planning for moves to global payroll platforms such as CloudPay, ADP, Papaya and Deel.
• Own the overall project status, driving governance, managing risks and issues, tracking decisions and maintaining clear and timely communication with all stakeholders.
• Prepare, review and oversee data migration workbooks, current-state and future-state process documentation, and all key project deliverables.
• Translate complex technical and vendor requirements into clear, actionable guidance for clients at all levels of seniority.
• Lead payroll and HR system integration workstreams, setting direction for technical teams and ensuring integration requirements are correctly translated and delivered.
• Chair technical design discussions with vendors and client IT teams, driving decisions and ensuring clarity and accountability on all sides.
• Client Relationship Management — Own the client relationship as the primary point of contact throughout each engagement, ensuring clients feel informed, supported and confident in the direction of the project.
• Governance & GL — Lead on governance, compliance and general ledger (GL) requirements as part of migration and transformation engagements, ensuring outputs meet both client and regulatory expectations.

Skills

Payroll expertise

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Vendor advisory

Stakeholder management

Tools

Workday

SAP SuccessFactors

Oracle

ADP

HRIS systems

Job description

Harbor looking for a Payroll Project Lead to take ownership of global payroll migrations and transformation projects. You will lead client-facing engagements, advise organisations on transitions to global payroll vendors, and direct the delivery of global payroll audits. You will be the primary point of accountability for the client relationship and the overall health and status of each project.

This is a senior, client-facing role suited to someone who combines deep payroll expertise with confident leadership and stakeholder management. You will set the direction for each engagement, guide clients through complex transitions and audits, and ensure our work consistently meets the highest standards. You will play a key role in shaping how we continue to develop our project delivery approach. This is a hybrid position that offers remote work capability, with our office located in Nantwich, England.

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end payroll migration projects, taking accountability for delivery quality, timeline and client outcomes from design through to go-live.
• Lead global payroll audits, providing structured assessment and advisory outputs that drive clear, actionable recommendations for clients.
• Advise clients on vendor selection, migration strategy and transition planning for moves to global payroll platforms such as CloudPay, ADP, Papaya and Deel.
• Own the overall project status, driving governance, managing risks and issues, tracking decisions and maintaining clear and timely communication with all stakeholders.
• Prepare, review and oversee data migration workbooks, current-state and future-state process documentation, and all key project deliverables.
• Translate complex technical and vendor requirements into clear, actionable guidance for clients at all levels of seniority.

Integration & System Work

• Lead payroll and HR system integration workstreams, setting direction for technical teams and ensuring integration requirements are correctly translated and delivered.
• Chair technical design discussions with vendors and client IT teams, driving decisions and ensuring clarity and accountability on all sides.
• Client Relationship Management
• Own the client relationship as the primary point of contact throughout each engagement, ensuring clients feel informed, supported and confident in the direction of the project.
• Manage senior stakeholder relationships, building trust, navigating challenge and representing Harbor's values in every interaction.

Governance & GL

• Lead on governance, compliance and general ledger (GL) requirements as part of migration and transformation engagements, ensuring outputs meet both client and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications:

• Strong payroll technical expertise across UK and/or multi-jurisdictional payroll, with the ability to advise confidently on compliance, process design and vendor capability.
• Proven experience leading payroll migrations, global payroll audits or significant payroll transformation programmes.
• Excellent client relationship management skills, with the confidence and gravitas to lead senior stakeholder conversations and manage expectations effectively.
• Strong project leadership capability — able to hold accountability for overall project health, manage competing priorities and drive delivery across complex, multi-workstream programmes.
• Deep understanding of global payroll vendors (such as CloudPay, ADP, Papaya, Deel) and the ability to provide informed, independent advisory to clients on vendor selection and implementation approach.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience operating within a payroll consultancy, managed services or outsourcing environment.
• Hands-on exposure to HRIS and payroll platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle, ADP or similar.
• Formal project management training or qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile) is advantageous but not required.

About Us:

Harbor is the preeminent provider of expert services across strategy, legal technology, operations, and intelligence. Our globally integrated team of 900+ strategists, technologists, and specialists navigate alongside our clients – leading law firms, corporations, and their law departments – to provide essential resources and invaluable insights. Anchored in a rich heritage of deep knowledge, steadfast relationships, and mutual respect, our unwavering dedication lies in shaping the future of the legal industry and fostering enduring partnerships within our community and ecosystem.

Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, age, parental status, disabled status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, in accordance with applicable law.